Dog Won’t Listen? Here’s What to Do

It’s a fairly common and frustrating problem for dog owners. Your dog won’t listen to you. It almost as if your dog doesn’t hear what you say even when you raise your voice. When a dog won’t listen, it can be dangerous for the dog’s health and well being. If your dog refuses to respond to you when he’s threatened by an oncoming car or other danger, it can mean big problems for you and your dog.

One of the most common reasons dogs won’t listen to your commands is because you haven’t established yourself as the alpha leader. Dogs are regimented in their thinking and prefer the safety and security of belonging to a pack even if it means they’re not in charge. It’s important that you establish yourself as the clear leader of the pack. Until this happens, you can’t expect your dog to listen to your commands. Many dog owners hesitate to give strong orders to their dog for fear of hurting their feelings. Dogs actually feel more comfortable and secure when they have a capable leader who doesn’t hesitate to give decisive commands. Contrary to what you may believe, this won’t make your dog feel unloved.

Here are some things you can do when your dog won’t listen:

Change your tone of voice when you give commands.

When you deliver a command, it should be done with a firm, decisive tone of voice .Dogs are very perceptive at interpreting voice inflections. If a command is delivered weakly, your dog may perceive you’re not serious about what you’re saying and may not consider it worth his time to respond. Always make your commands short and decisive if you want your dog to respond. Never give a command in a voice that suggests a question. This is a very common problem among dog owners. When they give a command their voice rises at the end which almost makes the command seem like a question rather than a statement. Practice giving your commands in a short, firm but loving fashion.

Use consistency to help you dog learn to listen.

Consistency is a very important component of obedience training. Your commands should be delivered in a consistent manner so your dog learns to recognize them. It’s important that you establish ground rules for your dog and enforce them on a daily basis. It’s not effective to scold your dog for getting into the trash can one day and then turn a blind eye to it the next. Mixed messages will confuse your dog and cause him to tune out your commands. Lack of consistency is a frequent reason why dogs won’t listen.

Give positive reinforcement to help your dog learn to listen.

Dogs love being praised. When your dog performs the action you’re commanding, give him positive reinforcement in the form or a treat or praise. When you ask him to come and he responds, his obedience should be rewarded until it becomes second nature. If your dog tends to disregard you when you call his name, try placing him on a leash. Call his name and gently tug on the leash. When your dog looks up at your when you say his name, praise him. Once he does this consistently, try it with him off the leash. Keep working with him until he responds on a consistent basis to his name is spoken.

If all else fails, try obedience classes.

Formal dog obedience classes taught by a professional are one of the most effective ways to work with a dog who won’t listen. You can sign up for a group class or get one on one instruction from a private trainer. The investment in money and time can be well worth it when you consider the pay off of twelve or more years of dog obedience and companionship.

If your dog won’t listen to you, give some of these dog training ideas a try. With a little effort you can turn your stubborn dog into the ideal family pet.

Watch these professional trainers show how effective the Pit Bull Terrier can be at protection work.
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Shut Up, Dog! Dealing With Barking Neighbor Dogs

Talking with the Neighbor
Before turning your neighbor’s pooch into the police, respect their right to pet ownership.

Take a deep breath and address the situation with a calm demeanor. The City of Phoenix reminds complaintants to address the pet owner in a friendly manner. A simple visit or phone call to the pet’s owner might quiet Fido.

Dogs use vocal communication to signal happiness, impending dangers or even alert their masters to changes around the house, according to pet experts Doctor’s Foster and Smith. That continual yapping from the neighbor dog might just alert you to a local burglary or gas leak. So, stay calm and keep an open mind.

Call the neighbor and let him know the how long the dog has been barking and why it’s disruptive. Some pet owners are immune to the monotonous tone of their own pets.

For example, if you sleep during the day to accommodate an evening work shift, the neighbor may move the dog from the backyard near your bedroom window to an indoor kennel or front porch during your peak sleeping hours. Communication is the key to getting results.

The Follow-Up Conversation
If the neighbor fails to curb the dog’s barking, prepare to make a visit. Since body language can reveal frustration, visit the neighbor after a brief self-calming session. Sit down, clear your head and call the neighbor to determine a good time to visit.

Avoid addressing the dog personally during the visit. Yelling at the dog or appeasing him with treats while he barks simply feeds his desire for attention–and increases barking. Negative attention, is still attention to a bored or anxious pet.

Respect the pet owner and make direct contact with him to achieve results.

Barking is a normal dog behavior, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. During the visit learn what causes the excessive barking. Talk about when the barking occurs and the dog’s environment when he barks.

The pet owner may not realize that muzzling the dog when leaving the house for the day limits the pet’s ability to eat, pant or clean himself, which in turn makes the pet bark because he needs help.

Separation anxiety, anxiousness, boredom and the desire to communicate with other neighborhood dogs commonly provokes a dog to bark. Finding the root cause of the barking episodes leads to a resolution.

By working with the neighbor, rather than against him, a solution is more likely.

Working With Authorities for a Resolution
If nuisance barking still continues, contact city or county government for assistance. At this point the neighbor is frustrated, the dog is confused and other neighbors are likely agitated too.

The authority of a city official forces the neighbor to respect the laws by taking action or facing a fine. In Jefferson County, Colorado the sheriff’s office offers access to mediation services to calmly resolve local barking problems.

Calling the authorities protects the pet from undue disciplinary action or possible abuse by the frustrated pet owner. Making a call for help is not spiteful, but rather resourceful and in the best interest of the pet.

Local city and county government often have lists of local obedience programs, veterinarians that specialize in behavior disorders and pet stores that sell training aids.

Sources and Suggested Further Reading:
“Principles of Behavior and Modification and Treatment”, The Merck Veterinary Manual

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/140102.htm

City of Phoenix, “Information for the Complaintant”, City of Phoenix

http://phoenix.gov/law/barkcmpl.html

Sheriff’s Office, “How to Report Problem Barking”, Jefferson County Colorado Sheriff’s Office

http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/sheriff/sheriff_T62_R30.htm

Doctors Foster and Smith, “Excessive Barking: A Common Behavior Problem”, Pet Education website

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2085&aid=153

ASPCA Staff, “Virtual Pet Behaviorist”, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website

http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/41/Barking.aspx

Clayton Reeves, “Body Language in Business: An Introduction”, Gaebler Ventures

http://www.gaebler.com/Body-Language-in-Business-An-Introduction.htm

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The Most Successful Dog Training Techniques You Need to Know

Dog training varies among breeds and trainers. For instance, in the military dogs could serve in four main areas: narcotics detection, explosive detection, specialized searches, and combat tracking. They also work as sentries, messengers, and scouts. Each dogis paired with a doghandler who is trained to work with the dog.

Training for hunting can begin soon after a dog is, around 10 to 12 weeks. A dog is encouraged to search for treats hidden in the handler’s pockets. In this way, he learns that he is rewarded for using his nose. At this time, the dog is often introduced to a cage (often a crate). If the dog shows excitement, he is said to be birdie and is rewarded for this behavior. At this stage, some dogs already exhibit a natural tendency to point. Trainers could encourage the pointing behavior through games.

They don’t speak human nor do we speak theirs. You need to work together to find a way to communicate with them. Most dogs learn faster than other animals. And you want your dog to learn to perform a complex task that is alien to its instincts in under an hour? Be realistic. Most people who don’t succeed in training their dog simply don’t spend time with the dog, or lose their temper when they don’t get instant results.
If you get frustrated with your dog, take a break.

Rescue to Handmajority of trainers and handlers require that a dog deliver an object to hand, meaning that a dog will hold the object until told to give it to the trainer directly.

Soft MouthIt is desired that a dog deliver game with a soft mouth, meaning he does not puncture it with his teeth. The game should always be fit for the table. If a dog damages the bird, it may be hard mouthed. This is a serious fault, but it can be difficult to determine whether it may have been genetic or caused by poor training methods. It is usually wise to avoid breeding any dog that is hard mouthed.

Nose TouchMany desired behaviours start with the nose-touch, where the dog learns to touch an identified target, such as a small piece of plastic, with its nose; that behaviour can then be transported to perform useful tasks or interesting tricks such as flipping a light switch or ringing a bell to go outside. Training the nose touch begins with getting the dog to touch a target with its nose; trainers sometimes use a guided method, such as placing a dab of peanut butter on a small plate or plastic target; others prefer where the target is placed in easy reach, such as in the trainer’s hand between the trainer and the dog, and the dog is rewarded each time he moves in the target’s direction or actually touches it.

Scent detectionHaving the ability to scent game is of vital importance to the trainer. A dog should have a good nose in both wet and dry conditions. A dog with a good nose will learn to use the wind as it quests for game, ever adjusting its pattern according to the breeze of the wind.

Hand SignalsUpland hunting involves pursuing wild game in its native habitat. Gun dogs must investigate likely covers for upland game birds. The dog must be responsive to hand signals in order for the trainer to be able to direct the dog into areas of particular interest.

Always use treat to reward your dog when he performs what you ask him to

Positive reinforcement is great when teaching a young dog, but eventually you need to train the dog and that requires appropriate corrections depending on the situation and the individual dog.

On the other hand, if after using all necessary methods, you still find out that your dog is not responding well, then, I will recommend you use prong collars and electric collars in training the dogs. Some consider all those tools/methods inhumane or out of date, but I find that they work and they work well. I’ve got a great relationship with my dog and I’m proud of his obedience level.

The Most Effective Ways To Teach Your Puppy The English Language

Puppies are eager and willing to do the right thing. They love your happy face and the squealy noises you make when they have done something great. They will do ANYthing to please you because of the loving rewards they get from being a Good Dog. They just cannot get enough of your praises and cuddles.

Moving towards “What a good dog!” from “Bad Puppy!” is based on one thing. Your puppy does not know the English language, and the faster he learns it, the better for all, because the minute he knows what you want he will DO it. Make it faster and easier for him to learn by keeping these tips in mind:

1. Be consistent in the words you choose to teach him commands. If you say, “Wanna go potty?” in the morning, and “Have to go out?” two hours later, and “Wanna go pee?” two hours later, etc., then that is THREE phrases you have asked him to learn in one day instead of only one. Decide which words to use, and make sure everyone in your family uses the same ones.

2. Use his name in the command if you want action, do NOT use it if you want him restricted from action. This is very important. Hearing his own name makes a puppy leap into action by his very nature. When you want your puppy to come, say, “Puppy, Come!” [insert his name instead of the word Puppy, of course] When you want him to lie down, simply say, “Down”.

3. Do not confuse your puppy with the same words for different commands. If you are teaching him basic obedience, the word “Down” means LIE down, usually followed by “Stay.” If you don’t want him on the couch, do not say “Down”, say, “Off.” This word can be used to keep him from jumping up into your lap, onto the couch, chair or bed because it is the ACTION of jumping up you are trying to restrict. Saying “Down” when he jumps onto the couch will just make him lie down on the couch! See the difference?

3. Do not ever hit your puppy, you dont need to. The worst punishment he ever needs to learn a lesson is your sad frown and walking away from him. One or two minutes is the limit though, do not overdo this. After a minute of ignoring him, give a command he knows well and praise praise praise, with a big smile.

These three tips, used with gentleness and consistency, will teach your puppy all the words he needs to know to be a happy and obedient companion in a matter of days.

At dogtraining321.com we find the motivations and goals behind training a dog’s behavior. The benefits are for the community, the family and even the dog in being a confident and happy member of your family.
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Beyond Basic Dog Obedience

Finally your little bundle of furry sweetness has plumped the numbers in your family. You have dreams of a well-behaved pup that is a joy to spend time with and never, ever does those classic doggy behaviors such as jumping on strangers, humping your mother-in-law’s leg, or running into traffic. You know the best way to combat the mischievous mind of a growing puppy is to train him to behave the way you want. He is already registered for puppy kindergarten and you know that Basic Obedience is in your future. But what about beyond sit and stay? It is hard to see that far in the future but the reality is most people stop training their dog after passing Basic Obedience and they wonder why their dog does not listen, develops inappropriate behaviors, or worse, is entirely out of control.

The Advantages of Advanced Obedience Classes

Would you pull your child from school after conquering the alphabet in grade one? Or maybe after struggling through beginner’s algebra in grade eight? Simple answer: not on your life! So why would you stop your dog’s training just as they begin to understand the simple concepts of Basic Obedience? Sure, he performs his ‘sit’ on command and his ‘stay’ is almost entirely perfect during class but what about at the dog park or when dinner is being prepared?

Basic obedience is only the first step in a lifetime of obedience and manners. The concepts taught are meant to be practiced outside of class and then built on through additional training. Go back to the grade one graduate who knows their letters – are they able to take that knowledge to the next step and read a book? Continued education is necessary for them to learn to read and write well and then apply that knowledge to other subjects by reading textbooks and doing their assignments.

Sounds boring, doesn’t it? Obedience training taught in the strictest sense is tedious for both parties – human and canine. It doesn’t have to be though! Bringing the right attitude to any dog training class is essential and if you are enjoying the experience, guaranteedyour dog will pick up on it and enjoy the work even more!

Trick Classes as a Way of Strengthening the Bond

Does the idea of taking another obedience class make your eyes glass over from boredom? First, maybe it wasn’t the work as much as it was the class. Try another trainer who understands positive training techniques and attempts to make the class fun for all participants. If that does not alleviate the boredom, try a Tricks Class.

Trick training is an excellent way to continue your dog’s education without making them perform the same routines. Instead of ‘sit/stay’, it teaches ‘sit/shake a paw’ and ‘sit/sit pretty!’.

You ask why you want your dog to ‘shake a paw’ – trick dogs always look foolish to you and maybe you will never use what you learn in public. However, trick training increases a dog’s focus and understanding while strengthening their bond to their owner.

It is also an excellent ‘crutch’ for the nervous or high-strung dog. During times of stress, running through a quick ‘trick’ routine can help them collect their wits and stay focused on you instead of the cause of their concern.

Need some Exercise?

Beyond obedience training, there are ‘dog sports’ that take what you and your four-legged athlete learned in class to the next level. Agility and Rally-O, or Rally Obedience, are similar in that they use various obstacles or challenges to test the skill of the dog and handler team.

Agility is more vigorous with multiple jumps, weave poles, teeter-totters, and chutes and although all breeds of dogs are capable of learning and performing agility, your Bulldog is probably never going to be a competitive Agility dog. Agility is high-energy obedience and a cardio workout for both the canine and the human handler!

Rally-O is slower, less speed based and more along the lines of competitive obedience with a jump or two included in for good measure. It teaches dogs focus and control while adding greater interest toobedience training.

Does your Dog have a Ball Fetish?

Flyball may not look like it involves a lot of concentration or obedience on the part of the dogs but you would be surprised in what it actually can teach them!

Flyball is a competitive team sport that comprises of each of the four dogs taking a turn running along a course to a specially designed box, hitting a pad that ejects a tennis ball, which the dog catches before returning to their owner. It is high-speed fun that helps build confidence, control, and patience in the ball-crazy dog! The dog’s learn to ‘sit/stay’ under the most intense of situations and although their focus is almost entirely on the ball during competition, they learn to respond instantly to their handler’s commands.

The important part of any dog training is strengthening the bond and understanding between the four-legged and two-legged participants. The more positive and productive time spent with your dog, the better the odds of your dreams coming true about that little ball of fluff becoming a perfect addition to your family and less chance of ever having to explain to your mother-in-law that ‘Fluffy’ is just happy to see her!

Preventing Dog Bites And Dog Attacks

Tips for Dog Owners to Control or Avoid Aggressive Dog Behavior

Dog bites and dog attacks are a serious issue and can cause a dog owner a great deal of trouble. Dog bites and dog attacks not only cause injuries to family, friends or neighbors, they also leave the dog susceptible to being destroyed as a vicious animal and leave a dog owner susceptible to a law suit. In fact, dog bite lawsuits have become a lucrative business for lawyers dealing with personal injury cases. Fortunately, there are some things that responsible dog owners can do to help insure that their dog is unlikely to bite or attack.

Avoid Dog Bites and Attacks by Keeping the Dog on a Leash

Approximately half of all dog bites occur when a dog is running at large or is not leashed. By keeping dogs leashed, dog owners have more control over the dog’s activities.

Spaying or Neutering Dogs Helps to Decrease the Possibility of Dog Bites

Spayed or neutered dogs tend to be less aggressive, better behaved and more easily trained than those that are not spayed or neutered. Spaying or neutering removes the influence of hormones from a dog’s behavior and allows the dog to focus more intently on training lessons, making training easier and more effective.

In addition, aggression between dogs is generally lessened when dogs are spayed or neutered. People often get bitten by dogs when trying to intervene in aggressive situations between dogs. Spaying or neutering makes it less likely that an owner’s dog will become involved in this type of situation.

Basic Obedience Training Helps to Decrease Dog Bites and Attacks

Teaching a dog some basic obedience commands, such as come, sit and stay, can allow a dog owner to have more control over a dog’s behavior and can also positively affect the dog’s behavior. When the dog owner is able to calmly command the dog to come, sit and stay, the dog is less likely to become excitable and bite due to agitation.

In addition to basic obedience training, puppies and adult dogs should be taught not to bite at home. Dog owners are best advised not to play roughly with their dogs or puppies or otherwise encourage them to “play bite”. This type of behavior can lead to accidental bites when strangers are allowed to handle the dog. When a puppy insists on biting on an owner’s fingers or toes, it should be distracted from this activity and fingers and toes replaced with an acceptable chew toy.

Proper Socialization Helps to Reduce the Risk of Dog Bites and Dog Attacks

Properly socializing puppies can result in an adult dog with more confidence and less fear. However, the best age to socialize puppies is at a very young age, generally prior to 3-4 months of age. Introducing young puppies to a variety of situations, people and other animals can teach the puppy that these things are not dangerous. This lessens the chance of the puppy growing into a fearful dog and thus lessens the chance of a dog biting or attacking out of fear.

Knowing a Dog’s Personality Can Help Avoid Dog Bites and Dog Attacks

Most dog owners know their dog’s personality fairly well. By carefully observing the dog, especially when the dog is in a strange or stressful situation, an owner can often intervene and remove the dog from the situation before the dog bite or dog attack occurs. Watching a dog for signs of fear or aggressive behavior and stepping in before the situation escalates can be an effective deterrent to a serious situation.

In a similar vein, it is best to avoid placing the dog in a situation which is likely to elicit fearful or aggressive behavior if at all possible. Discouraging strangers, especially children, from petting or handling a fearful dog can deter a dog bite.

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Related Dog Obedience Lessons Articles

Humor: Dog stories

I truly love dogs and have had many over my lifetime.  I want you to know that until I got married, all the dogs I had were normal; some were good dogs, and others misbehaved, but would obey eventually.  I should have paid more attention when I visited my future in-law’s home; yes the old adage is true, dogs are like their masters. Alas, love is blind and I was so taken with my fiancé that I did not notice that his parents owned a dog from hell.

I was a dog-trainer for heaven’s sake, you would think I would notice that this dog was so messed up it would never recover. They pampered her, gave her treats, took her everywhere and all they got in return was a yappy, sniveling creature that would sneak up behind you and bite your heals (or whatever was close enough to the ground for her to reach).  Far be it that anyone would correct her upon being bit because “she was just so darned cute;” and if you did slip-up and cuffed her under her chin, you would get some large cooking utensil thrown at you and many cuss words until you crawled out of the house totally ashamed of your misdeeds.

So we got married and got a dog; several over the years, but I noticed that none of these dogs were normal.  Oh, they would bark and pant like a normal dog, but something was missing.  I have always loved the German shepherd because they were loyal, smart, protective, and had good temperaments so they could be raised along with children. They were never nervous or yappy like my in-law’s (or their dog), but calm and nice to be around. I tried to give them obedience training and they would do OK until my husband came home and then they would be nervous, yappy, and jump around like they had no brains.  Ahh, I am assuming that hubby must be their master and they are mimicking him and his family’s traits.

OK, so I don’t learn my lessons too well, and acquired a new German shepherd puppy (after saying, never again for the 12th time).  Black and Silver with a pedigree; surely he will be perfect.  He was for the first two years; then just like magic, he went insane.  He would go across the field and stand in the middle of the road like he did not know where he was (he didn’t) and the cars would have to go around him until he heard us calling and figured out that “home must be in that direction.”  When he gets excited, he chases his tail (I know a lot of dogs do that), but while he is chasing his tail he gets so involved that he does not see he is close to the house or a parked car, his head hits it and he falls – completely stunned, then gets up and starts over again.  He is really lucky that we do not live next to a cliff because he would chase his tail and end up in the ravine.  Mind you he has fallen off the deck a few times, but it is only about three feet high, so as long as he goes head-first, he won’t get hurt.

You might have guessed it, my husband is much like his parents and I know he dearly loves his dog, he just doesn’t see that the dog has severe problems.  He is older now (the dog) and like most shepherds has bad hips. You would never know it because he is constantly chasing his tail and yapping until he hits his head on something.  He has a harder time getting up, but he has got the spunk to keep on trying.

The Key to Stopping Your Dogs Excessive Barking

However, once you have been alerted, your dog should realize that his job is done. So select a word of praise, such as “Good Dog” or “Okay”, or command such as “quiet”, and give your dog a pat to indicate that he must now be still.
 

Hysterical barking such as during a thunderstorm, can be treated by reassurance, companionship, distraction, or if all else fails by tranquilizers from your veterinarian. Barking at a strange object can be quickly stopped by showing him that there is nothing to fear.
 

Barking from boredom or in order to attract attention is best treated by eliminating the cause. If you give your dog plenty of attention and exercise, you can insist on quiet behavior the rest of the time. Obedience training is of great indirect benefit due to the self-discipline it imposes and the mental and physical activity it provides.
 

Whining, barking, or howling when left alone should not be tolerated. It is easier to prevent in a puppy than it is to correct in an adult dog. However, even a lonely barker can be cured in an afternoon or evening if you arm yourself with patience and whatever acting talent you possess.
 

You must pretend to leave your dog alone, telling him to “Guard the house”, and that you will be “back soon”. As soon as your dog starts to bark or howl, you must burst furiously into your home, saying “Bad Dog” or “No!” A single experience may be enough to make it clear to your dog that his barking displeases you

When your dog is duly impressed by your dissatisfaction, you should forgive him, settle him down, tell him to “Guard the House” and leave again. Be patient and hope for the best. If your dog has not barked within 5 or 10 minutes, you can be almost certain that he has learned his lesson. But if he resumes his barking, you must repeat the entire scenario, and repeat it as often as necessary.
 

As a final scene, stay away for a brief time, and when he hasn’t barked, return, greet him fondly and praise him. Then reward him with a treat or a walk, whichever he prefers. The next day you can test him by making a point of leaving him alone for a short period of time. Chances are that he will pass the test.
 

In the future, if you take the trouble to give him plenty of exercise beforehand, and opportunity to relieve himself, a diverting to or bone, water and food, whenever you have to leave your dog at home alone for an evening, he will never howl or bark without some justifiable reason.
 

A simple trick to stop your dog from barking with joy when you come home in the middle of the night is to give him his ball or bone or favorite toy. He cannot hold something in his mouth and bark at the same time. He may gurgle with delight, but this will not disturb the neighbors.

 

 

The Advantages of Adopting a Dog rather than Buying one or Taking a Free one

Many people immediately think of going to a pet store when they want a puppy, or even buying one from a ad in the newspaper. Aside from the ethical reasons against this there are many good things, advantages, to adopting a pet. In fact some of these advantages make adoption even a better option than taking a free dog.

Adoption is acquiring a pet from a proper charity or pet rescue. Some unscrupulous people will try to have you believe that they are adopting out their own pets, when in fact they are either giving them away or selling them. Some pet stores even use the term “adoption” loosely when in fact they are making a sale.

Adoption occurs when a person goes to a shelter (or adoption event, in the case of rescue organizations that do not have a facility) and selects a pup or dog that they would like. They fill out forms (questionnaires) and some times require a reference or home check to get approval for the adoption. Money is usually exchanged, although not always, and an adoption contract is written up.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/animalcareservices/3348227538/

So, let us look at the Advantages of Adoption

Selection. Suppose you are looking for a dog.  You could go from house to house looking at different dogs, or you could go to a shelter and look at 10 (or more) all at once.  With new dogs admitted weekly you can revisit the shelter at any time.

Free Stuff. Some dogs in shelter situations come with free supplies. This happens when an owner surrenders their pet and want to give the belongings away with it. Dogs might come with a bag of food and their own other personal items.  Some shelters give out free items with adoption, or discounts at stores and for obedience lessons.

Cheaper Than Free. Although shelters usually charge a rate for adoption, it can be cheaper than taking a free pet when you consider that the free animal has not been vaccinated, dewormed, or vet checked. Because shelters are non-profit and have many animals they can get these procedures done cheaper than a member of the public taking one pet to the vet. Imagine the free puppy has a heart defect and either needs an expensive surgery, or will die before 4 months of age. How heartbreaking, and it does happen.

Honest Information. Shelter staff are there to get the pets a good home. They work for the pet, not for profit. If they make sure the dog gets a good home, they know it wont be returned to their care. As such they offer honest information (to the best of their knowledge) to try to make sure the dogs fits in with the home and owners lifestyle. If a person is willing to listen to the staffs opinion they can avoid making a hasty decision and taking home a dog that does not fit with their lifestyle.  A private home trying to get rid of a litter or unwanted dog, may not be so honest.

Health Guarantees. Most shelters offer a 10-14 day health guarantee on the dogs they adopt out. This means if your pet gets sick within that period of time the shelter will pay for vet care, provided you call them first.

On Going Support. Most shelters will offer support to their adopters in the form of pamphlets on care and so forth. Additionally most are a phone call away if an adopter has questions regarding care, feeding, or behavior.

Prescreening.  Most shelters have owners leave information about the pet, additionally the staff should work with the dog to find out its faults.  Problem dogs do not knowingly go for adoption without problems being told to potential adopters.  Dangerous dogs are not adopted out.  If you have cats they can “test” the dog to see how it is with cats.

Returns Accepted. Most shelters have contracts saying that if for any reason you cannot keep the dog they will accept it back. Try doing that with a dog you got from somebodies home.  Pet stores will not accept puppies back after a few days. 

Spay and Neuter Assistance. Although some dogs in the shelters are already spayed or neutered, many are not. Most shelters then offer a spay or neuter assistance program. Some times this is in the form of a voucher than when used at a veterinarian will reduce the cost of the surgery.

Waiting Lists.  Most shelters have waiting lists and if you cannot find a dog that fits you at the time you can leave your name and number so if a dog comes in, they can match you up.

Saving a Life. Most shelters are forced to turn pets away when they are full, or to euthanize surplus animals. As such when you adopt you not only save that animals life but allow them to save another animals life and give it a chance of finding a new home.

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Related Links

Finding a Reputable Dog Breeder

Are No-Kill Shelters the Way to Go?

How to Adopt a Pet

The Five Biggest Scams in the Pet Industry

Are You a Good Pet Owner

The Problem with Pet Stores

Related Dog Obedience Lessons Articles

How to bring your Dog to the Veterinarian

A trip to the veterinarian is a very important step in proper dog ownership. However many dogs do not know how to behave at the veterinarians, and neither do some of their owners.

Small dogs should always arrive in a kennel or carrier, unless injury has made this impossible. Larger dogs should always be on a short leash and under their owners control at all times. Puppies who are not vaccinated should certainly be kept off the floor, either in a carrier, box, or held on their owners lap.

Upon entering the veterinary office the owner should approach the receptionist and sign in. Most vets require appointments, with walk-ins only for emergencies. Depending on the situation the pet may be left in the vehicle while alerting the receptionist of your being there.

If you have brought a stool sample it should be double bagged and kept discrete. Past veterinarian records should be brought along also.

Some vet offices have separate waiting areas for cats and dogs, but it is never acceptable to allow a dog to wander freely in a waiting room. Not only may this upset some other clients, it may potentially expose the dog to sick animals. Dog owners should sit with their dogs as far away from any cats as possible, and ideally far away from any other dogs. While they may be there only for a check up, they may also be there due to illness.

When it is your turn bring your dog and follow as directed. Keep in mind that although veterinarians try to keep their floors clean at any time a diseased animal could be shedding a virus on the floor, the Parvo virus being one of the most concerning, for that reason if a dog is small enough to be carried, it should be.

In the examination room the owner should do their best to listen and answer responsibly. Talking about the latest news is not helping the pet if it is sick, but telling any possible related facts will. When did the dog last eat, did it eat anything it should not have, and when did you first notice a problem, are all important facts that should be shared. Lying to avoid looking neglectful does not help your dog.

It is the owners job to help keep the dog calm. A dog who has been to obedience lessons and is well socialized around strangers will be easier for a veterinarian to treat than one who has been kept isolated from the world and babied. If the owner is asked to leave the room, they should do so without fuss. Sometimes dogs act better when their over protective owner is not there.

It is normal for dogs to be nervous, and young or sick ones may defecate. A veterinarian will usually not be alarmed by this and an owner should not feel embarrassed. However shows of uncalled for aggression are unacceptable. If an owner knows their dog may bite they should inform the vet early on and muzzle if needed.

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Owners should take note of their veterinarians instructions and advice, but should feel free to question it too, especially if they do not understand. Above all, get things in writing if this is a case where the owner must provide ongoing medical care at home.

If the animal is injured, old and suffering, or is otherwise at the veterinarian for euthanasia, the owner will be given the option of being there or not. Crying is allowed, but an owner should never place any guilt onto the veterinarian for doing their job. The veterinarian can also discuss options for the disposal of the body.

An owner should not fight with the veterinarian about the cost of any services, veterinary medicine is not a charity. Getting a second opinion is allowed.

Paying veterinarian bills on time is the final duty of an owner, but in some cases a “Thank You” card also goes a long way.

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